sweet conversation...

Here's a little conversation that Miles and I had yesterday:

Miles: "Mom, I've been really nice to Ruby lately. Have you noticed?"

Me: "Yea. What's changed?"

Miles: "I asked Heavenly Father to help me, and he has."

My heart melted...big hugs and kisses followed.

Then he said, "I also repented of all my sins last night during my personal prayers!" (We've been encouraging the kids to have personal prayers every night after our family prayer, but up until now it's kind of gone in one ear and out the other)!

:)

I am AMAZED that Miles seems to have internalized the truths he has heard--whether it's something I've said, something he's heard in church, or something he's read in the Friend magazine or scriptures (I've strategically placed these in a basket by the toilet and the boys read them all the time)! He has had this little change of heart--he really wants to be better.

Miles' experience reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon that teaches us how to recognize TRUTH. King Benjamin has just finished talking to his people and they say, "...we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah, 5:2).

just a little journaling

This morning the boys got into trouble for fighting.

Punishment was....no friends after school!

After school I followed through....and they took it extremely well.

In fact, Miles took it SO well that he decided to surprise me.

At his request I hid in my room to read a book.

Then he proceeded to clean the living room, kitchen, and garage, and kept peeking in my room to tell me how much he loved me, and to give me hugs and kisses.

He was THRILLED that I was thrilled with his surprise.

Miles melts my heart.

Tonight we went to the pool for Family Home Evening and then went to 7-11 and got slurpies. The kids were very grateful.:) Yannick taught a lesson on the gift of the Holy Ghost.

At bedtime Yannick and I cuddled with each of the kids (this is our new nightly tradition--a worthwhile investment of our time). Miles kept asking me to "tickle him up and down, reeeaaaal slow," and he'd shift around every 30 seconds to put a different limb in the path of my tickling fingers. Arm, then leg, then back, then arm...he's so funny.

Ruby and Lily and I talked about what we would name a new baby. They both decided they wanted a girl and Ruby wants to name the baby Charlotte.

Ruby also told me she wishes she could have a pet flower that has eyes and a smiley face.

Lily got soap in her mouth today for screaming while we were at Costco. After a good nap and lots of hugs and kisses she was back to her sweet ol' self. :)

On Saturday we went to Sea World (thanks to those year round passes). Andrew learned a good lesson on gratitude. After stating that Sea World was "boring", Yannick and I made sure it WAS boring by not allowing him to enjoy any of the rides while we were there. Yes...devestation.

Lesson: weigh your words and always be grateful. :)

I am feeling amazing lately. I felt the worst when I allowed myself to obsess about my weight...gotta let it go. I have learned through several sources not to "feed" a bad thought by thinking about it too much. I'm referencing a book called, I Can Be Happy No Matter What--one of the most life changing books I have ever read.

Had a really "good" Monday night with my husband. :)

MILES!

A couple of pictures of Miles and his best friend Braden. These pictures really captured the goofy side of Miles that is always making me smile. :)

Gabbie's 6th Birthday

Look at this beautiful park! It was the perfect day to celebrate Gabbie's 6th birthday. Just one more reason that I looooooove San Diego.

The "gang" at the arts and crafts table.

Liz and Gabbie--we love you!

aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh.......

City of Carlsbad Art Award Ceremony

Three first graders from each school in the Carlsbad School District were chosen to receive an Art award, and to come and meet the Mayor, and Andrew was one of them. Way to go Andrew!

Each child had to draw one of many historical sites here in Carlsbad. (Andrew's is in the very middle).

The Mayor and other city council members.

End of school year Open House 2010

Andrew participated in an amazing end of school year performance. Mrs. Cozins and Mrs. Hill (both expecting babies) were always impressed with his enthusiasm for learning (still workin' on slowing down), and his ability to soak up new information. Still as social as ever and loves to go to school an hour early on Tuesdays and Thursdays to play handball. Can't believe he'll be in the fourth grade next year. I love you Andrew :)

Miles and his first grade teacher Ms. Granich (soon to be Mrs.). Throughout the year Miles has improved his behavior (listening skills to be specific), his handwriting, and his ability to really focus. He gets sent home every day (practically) with a "smiley face" in his planner. He's also become an excellent reader. Way to go Miles. Onto second grade-- I love you!

Miles and Daddy in his classroom.

lily brainstorm

Likes to pick up "rollie pollies".

Calls her great auntie Tracy, "My little Tracy".

She calls smoothie, "slymoothies".

"Braisins". (raisins)

"That makes me happy mom", or "that doesn't make me very happy". (Pretty precocious things out of the mouth of a two year old)!

Lily's favorite word is "poo-poo" or "poo-poo head".

Lately she crawls around pretending she is a kitty cat, meowing with lots of gusto!

Last week Lily and Jaxson flushed a plastic donut down the toilet. "Time out Lily"!

Me speaking. "Liiiily....you do NOT get into mommy's nail polish!"

Lily is very excited about turning two and having a "lily fairy" party.

Loves her friends--Jaxson, Grace, Beckham, and Jordie.

Won't go to her own nursery class. Wants to always go to "mommy's class". I've stopped fighting her on the issue and just try to enjoy her "super glued to mom" personality for as long as I can.

"Mommy will you cuddle with me?" She asks me this before every nap and before going to bed. I've learned to sloooooooow life down and truly enjoy these precious moments with her. :)

Fishy kiss, ring kiss, lion kiss, lizard kiss, doggy kiss, butterfly kiss. These are the different kisses that Lily requests at bedtime.

Funny sayings by Ruby

"Lily 'peeks' playing with her food." (She says "peek" instead of "keep").

"It's very "soggy" today." (In regards to the fog).

"How does my hair look mom"? I told her it looked great. "It's because I slept like Sleeping Beauty."

"When I grow up I want to be a pretty ghost that's sparkly and can touch people."

"Don't glitter Lily!" ("Glittering" means "littering").